Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Columbus, Georgia
The firms in this guide
1. Bence Law Firm, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by driver negligence, failure to yield, running stop signs, disregarding traffic signals, texting while driving, distracted driving, defective vehicle parts, hazardous road conditions, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence preservation, liability determination, insurance company communications, damages calculation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has years of experience delivering results for injured Georgians. Attorneys understand the biases motorcyclists face and develop legal strategies that account for subconscious biases that may impact judges and juries. The firm handles all communications with insurance companies on behalf of clients.
Location: Columbus, GA
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.bencelawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
2. Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by driver inattention, failure to yield at intersections, lane change accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, accidents involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence analysis including police reports and traffic camera footage, witness statements, liability determination, damages calculation, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has experienced attorneys who understand the unique risks motorcyclists face and the serious consequences these accidents bring. Attorneys conduct thorough investigations and analyze evidence to establish fault. The firm fights for full and fair compensation while holding negligent drivers accountable.
Location: Columbus, GA
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.sherrodandbernard.com
Consultation: Free case review
3. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by driver negligence, distracted driving, failure to see motorcyclists, intersection accidents, lane change accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence preservation, journal and documentation guidance, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, litigation through pre-suit stage, litigation stage, and trial and appeal stage
Background: The firm serves Columbus, Georgia and specializes in motorcycle accidents. Attorneys guide clients through the entire claims process from investigation through trial if necessary. The firm emphasizes thorough evidence documentation and case preparation.
Location: Serving Columbus, GA (firm based in metro Atlanta area)
Contact: 833-LEGALGA | https://gatrialattorney.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
4. Law Offices of Gary Bruce
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by motorist negligence, motorcycle defects including design and manufacturing defects, wrongful death motorcycle cases, accidents involving military members near Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning)
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, defective product claims, insurance company negotiations, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Attorney Gary Bruce has more than 25 years of experience. The firm serves clients in Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL. Attorneys have experience providing legal services for military families. The firm handles cases where motorcycle defects contribute to accidents.
Location: Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL
Contact: (706) 813-1624 | https://www.garybrucelaw.com
Consultation: Free case discussion; attorneys can meet at client’s home or hospital if needed
5. John Foy & Associates
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by driver negligence, distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, failure to yield, lane change accidents, intersection accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, medical provider network access, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, comparative negligence defense, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm was founded in 2003 and has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients. Attorneys have 20-plus years of experience and understand how to build cases and negotiate with insurance companies. The firm handles cases on contingency fee basis.
Location: Serving Columbus, GA (with offices throughout Georgia)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.johnfoy.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
Helmet and Eye Protection Rules, Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Medical Expense Proof for Columbus Motorcycle Crashes
A Columbus motorcycle crash claim starts with Georgia’s helmet and eye protection statute. Georgia law then sets how a rider’s uninsured motorist coverage stacks on top of the at-fault driver’s coverage, how medical expenses are proved for crashes after the 2025 tort reform law, and the notice rule for a claim against a city.
Helmets and Eye Protection
Under O.C.G.A. 40-6-315(a), no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety. Under (b), no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without a windshield unless wearing an eye-protective device approved by the commissioner, and under (c) the section does not apply within an enclosed cab or motorized cart or to an agricultural three-wheeled motorcycle.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pays
Under O.C.G.A. 33-7-11, a Georgia policy includes uninsured motorist coverage unless an insured named in the policy rejects it in writing, at limits of at least $25,000, $50,000 and $25,000 or equal to the insured’s liability limits, at the insured’s option. Unless the insured selects otherwise in writing, the coverage is available in excess of the at-fault driver’s available liability coverage, with the combined recovery capped at the insured’s total economic and noneconomic losses; the insured may instead choose coverage that pays only the difference between those limits.
Proving Medical Expenses
Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-1.1, as enacted by SB 68 for causes of action arising on or after its April 21, 2025 effective date, special damages for medical and health care expenses are limited to the reasonable value of medically necessary care, determined by the trier of fact. When the plaintiff has health insurance, the evidence includes both the amounts charged and the amounts actually necessary to satisfy those charges under the insurance.
A City Vehicle or City Road
Under O.C.G.A. 36-33-5(b) and (e), a claim against a municipal corporation must be presented in writing to its governing authority within six months of the event, stating the time, place and extent of the injury, the negligence that caused it and the specific amount sought, and under (d) the statute of limitations is suspended while the claim is pending without action.
Columbus Motorcycle Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue?
Two years after the right of action accrues for injuries to the person under O.C.G.A. 9-3-33, and four years for a loss of consortium claim, except as otherwise provided in that article.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you were less than 50 percent responsible. Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-33(a) and (g), damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and a plaintiff 50 percent or more responsible recovers nothing. For example, imagine $60,000 in damages and 20 percent of the responsibility on the rider: the recovery would be $48,000.
Is there a cap on punitive damages?
Yes, with exceptions. Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-5.1(g), punitive damages are limited to $250,000, but under (f) no limit applies against an active tortfeasor who acted with specific intent to cause harm or while substantially impaired by alcohol, by drugs other than lawfully prescribed drugs taken as prescribed, or by an intentionally consumed toxic vapor, and under (e) product liability awards have no limit.